Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles failed to advance in his Republican primary race despite receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Ogles lost to Charlie Hatcher, the state’s former agricultural commissioner, in Thursday’s election. With nearly 90 percent of votes counted, Hatcher held a 6.6-point lead. The outcome marked a rare instance where Trump’s backing did not secure victory in a Republican contest.
Ogles, who was first elected to Congress in 2022, has drawn widespread criticism for inflammatory statements targeting Muslims. In March, he wrote on social media that “Muslims don’t belong in American society,” and previously suggested that all members of Hamas should be killed. His controversial rhetoric generated condemnation across the political spectrum. Hatcher, who positioned himself as Trump-friendly, directly rejected such anti-Muslim sentiment and emphasized that Muslim Americans serve as law-abiding citizens and military personnel.
Hatcher will advance to face Democrat Chaz Molder, the mayor of Columbia, in November’s general election. Governor Bill Lee gave the Republican nominee a late endorsement. Although the district leans Republican, Democrats hope to capitalize on voter concerns about economic conditions and foreign policy to flip seats nationwide during the midterm elections.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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